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Associate Category Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Aon

Associate Category Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$73K - $85K/yr

Reporting to the Global Spend Management (GSM) Director, the Associate Category Manager/Senior Specialist will be responsible for managing sourcing and negotiation activities for a pipeline of ...

Aon Corporation

Associate Category Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$73K - $85K/yr

Reporting to the Global Spend Management (GSM) Director, the Associate Category Manager/Senior Specialist will be responsible for managing sourcing and negotiation activities for a pipeline of ...

zahgroup

Associate Category Manager

Mansfield, TX · On-site

The Associate Category Manager will analyze and implement strategies that support supplier identification, sourcing, supplier management, and spend optimization. This position will support the new ...

Aon Corporation

Associate Category Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

$73K - $85K/yr

Reporting to the Global Spend Management (GSM) Director, the Associate Category Manager/Senior Specialist will be responsible for managing sourcing and negotiation activities for a pipeline of ...

Johns Manville

Associate Category Manager

Denver, CO · On-site

$66K - $91K/yr

The Associate Category Manager supports the execution of category strategies to drive cost competitiveness, ensure supply continuity, and strengthen supplier performance across direct materials ...

Klein Tools

Associate Category Manager

Mansfield, TX · On-site

The Associate Category Manager will analyze and implement strategies that support supplier identification, sourcing, supplier management, and spend optimization. This position will support the new ...

Jm

Associate Category Manager

Denver, CO · On-site

$66K - $91K/yr

The Associate Category Manager supports the execution of category strategies to drive cost competitiveness, ensure supply continuity, and strengthen supplier performance across direct materials ...

Walgreens

Associate Category Manager

Deerfield, IL · On-site

$86K - $138K/yr

Collaborates with the Category Manager(s) to select and purchase merchandise and services within a limited number of categories, and at the lowest possible cost. Assures that these purchases are made ...

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Associate Category Manager information

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How much do associate category manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate category manager in the United States is $25.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $29.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Associate Category Manager vs Category Analyst?

AspectAssociate Category ManagerCategory Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field; some roles may prefer experience in retail or supply chainBachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field; often entry-level
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with cross-functional teams, manages supplier relationships, and supports category strategiesAnalyzes sales data, monitors market trends, and provides insights to support category decisions
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in retail, consumer goods, and e-commerce companiesUsed across similar industries for data analysis and strategic support

The Associate Category Manager and Category Analyst roles share similar educational backgrounds and work environments, focusing on supporting category strategies through collaboration or data analysis. While the Associate Category Manager has more responsibilities in supplier management and strategy execution, the Category Analyst primarily provides insights through data analysis. Both roles are essential in retail and consumer goods industries, often working together to optimize product categories.

What does an Associate Category Manager do?

An Associate Category Manager supports the development and execution of strategies to optimize product categories within a retail or business environment. They analyze market trends, sales data, and customer preferences to help determine product assortment, pricing, and promotional tactics. Working closely with suppliers, marketing teams, and senior category managers, they aim to maximize category performance and profitability. This role often involves reporting, project management, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure effective category growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Category Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Category Manager, you need strong analytical skills, business acumen, and a background in merchandising or supply chain, often supported by a bachelor’s degree in business or related fields. Familiarity with category management software, advanced Excel, and data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI is typically required. Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills enable standout performance in managing vendors and cross-functional teams. These skills are crucial for driving category growth, optimizing product assortments, and ensuring profitability in a competitive retail environment.

How does an Associate Category Manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve category goals?

An Associate Category Manager frequently works with teams such as marketing, sales, supply chain, and finance to ensure category strategies are effectively executed. This collaboration involves sharing market insights, coordinating promotional activities, and aligning on inventory planning to meet sales targets. Effective communication and the ability to manage multiple stakeholders are essential, as the role acts as a bridge between departments to drive category performance. Regular meetings and joint projects are common, providing exposure to various aspects of the business and opportunities for career growth.
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Associate Category Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Category Manager job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, and 2% Part Time. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,863 per year, or $25.4 per hour.
Associate Category Manager, Dairy

Associate Category Manager, Dairy

Trader Joe's

Monrovia, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 11 days ago

Trader Joe's rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 711 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 114 rated grocery stores

Job description

Who are we?
Trader Joe's is your favorite neighborhood grocery store! With over 600 stores nationwide (and growing), we are the place to be. Looking for something delicious and a friendly conversation? At Trader Joe's, you can find both. We love being your first and favorite place to shop.
What do we do?
Like shopping at Trader Joe's? Then, maybe you'll love working with us. We are looking for an experienced Associate Category Manager, Dairy who is searching to do what they'll love! Do you have experience in category curation, vendor negotiation and management, and merchandising? Do you love food? If so, read on! We may have the role of a lifetime for you!
Trader Joe's is unlike any place you've ever worked. Trust us on that. The qualified Associate Category Manager, Dairy has at least 3 years of experience and is a raving fan of the Trader Joe's concept. A Bachelor's Degree is strongly preferred. This role is based in our office in Monrovia, CA and we have an in office expectation of 5 days a week.
The Associate Category Manager, Dairy is responsible for:
  • Collaborating with Category Managers and Sr. Category Managers to achieve sales, margin, SKU count and sales dollar/unit minimum targets and provides support to Category Management team in daily tasks and projects.
  • Developing category in product assortment, vendor capabilities and category trends and work to curate a diverse range of products that meet the changing needs of Trader Joe's Customers.
  • Staying abreast to trends and seasonality within the Dairy industry while staying informed on commodity Dairy costs, available supply, and vendor capacity.
  • Working with Product Developers to actively diversify Trader Joe's vendor base and develops broker-free relationships while maintaining strong vendor relations to expand product offerings.
  • Assisting with Subcategory Reviews and makes recommendations for improvement based on category and sales performance.
  • Partnering with departments such as Marketing, Operations, and Finance to ensure seamless execution of category plans and assists with planning and executing marketing features for all products including New and Limited items.
  • Supporting the Supply Chain team to achieve fulfillment goals such as fill-rate, TOS and inventory quality goals.
  • Working collaboratively with other departments.

The Associate Category Manager, Dairy has:
  • A Bachelor's degree and three years experience working as a Buyer, Category Manager, or Merchandising within a Retail organization with a preference for direct responsibility of Dairy or CPG.
  • Experience directly related to Dairy production and quality processes preferred.
  • Experience buying and sourcing new products with an understanding of how to evaluate quality, manage fulfillment goals, and partnering with large product teams while building relationships with new and existing vendors within the Dairy industry.
  • Strong negotiation skills.
  • Excellent communication skills and demonstrates excellent time management skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office is required as well as comfort with retail-based mathematics.

We want to hear from you!
We get a lot of resumes; so to help us get to know you better, please submit your resume and cover letter. When creating your cover letter, please answer these questions:
  • What is your favorite Trader Joe's product and why?
  • What makes you uniquely qualified for this position?

Trader Joe's is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to hiring a diverse Crew.

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